Importing Auto Parts Into the U.S.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau of 2022, over 90% of households own a car, but the average age of those vehicles is increasing steadily. Providing necessary vehicle parts and accessories to keep them going is a $422 billion-a-year industry, enough to make it the 9th most traded product in the world.

Key Takeaways

• Importing car and truck parts requires you to submit certain documents, such as CBP Form 7501 for entry summary, EPA Form 3520-1 for engines, and the NHTSA-DOT HS-7 Declaration form. 
• Some states have adopted California Air Resource Board (CARB) requirements that supersede federal standards. 
• Importers must be aware of duties and tariffs, which vary based on the type of auto part and its country of origin. 
• The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) offers benefits such as reduced duty rates for goods imported from Canada and Mexico.

In this guide, we’ll help you get your bearings when it comes to importing car and truck parts into the USA.

Who Regulates Importing Car Parts to the USA?

Most vehicles and vehicle parts imported into the U.S. need to follow the regulations set by the following federal agencies, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

• Customs and Border Protection (CBP): The agency responsible for ensuring shipments coming into the U.S. are compliant with all pertinent regulations.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Sets regulations regarding carbon emissions standards, which gives them some oversight on engines.
• Department of Transportation (DOT): Responsible for road safety, which extends to certain aspects of vehicle design and associated replacement parts.
• National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA): Mostly concerned with the importation of entire vehicles. 
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC has general oversight when it comes to business practices, so their regulations and enforcement activities affect all importers.
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Responsible for establishing safety guidelines for all products available to consumers in the USA.

Each agency has jurisdiction over a different aspect of importing engines and other motor vehicle parts to the United States. Importers should be familiar with the rules from each body.

Certain states have regulations that go beyond the federal expectations, which we’ll discuss further on in the article. 

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Customs and Border Protection Requirements

Those bringing auto parts into the United States should expect to fill out CBP Form 7501, also known as an entry summary, prior to the shipment’s arrival.

CBP also requires that all foreign products imported into the United States are marked to indicate the items’ country of origin. The regulations say that the marking should be in a conspicuous place that is as legible and permanent as possible.

Parts manufacturers must follow the “Agent for Service of Process” requirements in order to import their products, according to NIST. An Agent for Service of Process is the registered person who receives lawsuits or other legal action on behalf of the company or other entity. The agent must be on record for the goods to be released from the port of entry.

Department of Transportation Rules for Bringing Car Parts to the U.S.

Most imported parts are required to follow the safety standards under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. The NHTSA is the agency under the DOT responsible for upholding these rules.

Motor vehicle parts subject to regulation include, but are not limited to:

• Tires
• Wheels
• Brake components (pads, rotors, hoses and other hydraulics)
• Suspension parts (including shock absorbers, ball joints, and tie rods)
• Brake, transmission, and power steering fluids
• Engines, transmissions, differentials, and other parts of the power train
• Seat belt assemblies and child restraints
• Headlights, tail lights, and associated bulbs
• Automotive glass (glazing)
• Motorcycle helmets
• Compressed natural gas containers
• Rear impact guards for trailers
• Platform lift systems for mobility equipment

For imports to be compliant with the safety standards, items have to meet whichever Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) were in effect when the item was manufactured. A DOT symbol inscribed on the item or its container usually indicates that the item is acceptable.

A manufacturer looking to import auto parts into the U.S. must also follow certain NHTSA theft prevention standards. To learn more about these expectations, you can use the NHTSA manufacturer portal. 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Best Practices

Beyond the strict requirements that the NHTSA enforces on imported vehicle parts, the agency also offers recommendations to help reduce the risk of non-compliance.

The NHTSA outlines many best practices meant to ensure compliance and avoid defective products. These include:

• Take care in choosing foreign manufacturers
• Inspect foreign manufacturing facilities
• Establish a consumer service program
• Inspect goods before they are exported to the United States

When selecting a supplier, make sure their products are manufactured to NHTSA standards.

The EPA’s Role in Importing Engines

If you plan to import engines into the USA, you will also have to consider regulations enforced by the EPA. Car engines release emissions, and the EPA is responsible for guaranteeing that these emissions meet established U.S. standards.

When you import an engine, you’ll need to complete EPA form 3520-1. This applies to standard vehicle and motorcycle engines as well as heavy-duty, nonstandard models, such as marine and highway diesels. These forms can be submitted electronically through an ACE manifest and/or can be included with your goods.

If you are trying to import an engine that does not meet current emission standards, you will need to work through an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI). ICIs have been certified by the EPA to legally import vehicles into the United States by modifying, testing, and certifying the engine to make sure it meets the requirements.

Are There Exceptions to the EPA Emissions Rules?

If the engine you want to import to the United States doesn’t conform to standards — and you don’t wish to modify it to meet them — you’re not necessarily out of luck. There are a few situations in which nonconforming engines can be temporarily imported into the country with a customs bond.

The items must receive pre-approval that the engine is being used for one of the following purposes:

• Testing
• Display
• Repair or alteration
• Nonresident usage
• Racing and other forms of competition

While engines are the most notable example of parts regulated by the EPA, they aren’t the only one. 

EPA Regulations on Other Imported Auto Parts

Some light switches, anti-lock braking system switches, and active ride control system switches use elemental mercury, which is regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Manufacturers using this substance in items to be imported to the United States will need to provide notification to the EPA, who will then determine whether the use is allowed.

Federal Trade Commission Rules

The FTC, being concerned more with commerce itself rather than automotive safety or emissions standards, expects imported parts to follow the same standards that apply to all products sold in the United States. These include:

• Prohibiting deceptive, misleading, or harmful information and practices
• Requiring packaging to identify the product, the manufacturer or distributor information, and the contents and quantity
• Setting guidelines about making environmental claims in a product’s marketing

All these government agencies play a significant role in regulating car and truck parts. I mentioned the states that use CARB regulations that supersede the EPA’s. There are other circumstances where state guidelines could affect the import and resale of these parts.

State Regulations on Importing Car Parts

When importing car and truck parts to the United States, there are other standards to consider in addition to federal regulations. You also have to make sure you are following the requirements of any state you are bringing the products into, some of which have standards that go beyond those set by the federal agencies I’ve already gone over. 

NIST points out that the following standards are enforced by states that have enacted measures that could apply to your shipment of goods.

• 45 of 50 states: All but five states have enacted the Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulations, which require a label on non-consumer packaging with specific information in English. The five exceptions are Louisiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island and Wyoming.
• 19 of 50 states: Nearly half the country has adopted a law prohibiting the use of certain toxic materials in packaging.
• Illinois: Selling products with lead is illegal unless they have the following warning label: “WARNING: CONTAINS LEAD. MAY BE HARMFUL IF EATEN OR CHEWED. MAY GENERATE DUST CONTAINING LEAD. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN” or another label as dictated by federal law.
• California: The state of California requires a warning label on products containing lead and many other hazardous substances. 

Speaking of California, the Golden State has its own emissions regulations that supersede those of the EPA. They’re established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and they’ve been adopted by several other states. 

Which States Use CARB Regulations?

The following states use CARB emission standards rather than those set by the EPA. 

• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont, Virginia, Washington
• Washington, D.C.

CARB standards are generally more stringent than those set by the EPA, so if you’re importing engines, catalytic converters, or certain powertrain components to a state that uses California’s standards, you’ll need to make sure they’re CARB compliant. The fines for using or selling non-compliant parts in states using the California standards are considerable. 

Having discussed the agencies that oversee this process, let’s take a closer look at each of their responsibilities and regulations. 

Facts About Importing Auto Parts to the United States

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) found that over the last 25 years, the global auto industry has nearly doubled. With that trend has come an influx of parts from abroad.

The United States imported most of its parts from the following countries in 2021, according to  AutomotiveAftermarket.org.

Top 10 Countries for Importing Auto Parts in 2021

The total value of imported parts in 2021 was estimated at $159.6 billion, which was 125% higher than the value of parts exported by the United States.  

Generally speaking, Mexico and China specialize in mass-marketed, affordable accessories and replacement parts, while countries like Japan and Italy produce enthusiast-grade gear such as powerful engines, power adders, and big brake kits.

Car Parts from Canada and Mexico

If you are importing car parts from Mexico or Canada to the United States, you should be aware of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The agreement reduced barriers to trade among the three largest countries in North America.

USMCA allows reduced duty rates on Canadian parts and grants preferential trade benefits to Mexico. This means that service parts made in these countries typically have a lower duty rate than those from countries outside the agreement — in many cases, there is no duty at all.

Car Accessories and Parts from China

If you are looking to import car parts from China, you’re not alone. China exported nearly $30 billion worth of parts in 2023. However, unlike the United States’ two other biggest car parts trade partners (Mexico and Canada), products made in China don’t enter under a preferential trade agreement. . 

This means you don’t get to enjoy reduced or removed duties. In fact, like most imports from China, parts are often subject to additional import fees. As of this writing, there is a 25% tariff on many imported Chinese auto parts, in addition to the standard 2.5% duty rate. These parts can be identified by HTS code in this search engine for Section 301 tariffs. 

Engines from Japan

Importing car engines from Japan is popular due to interest among auto enthusiasts in Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles and parts. These enthusiasts often seek to upgrade their cars with powertrains from the Japanese market.

JDM engines are typically designed for lower-mileage and shorter-term use, and may include features or specifications that have not been adopted in the United States. JDM engines frequently differ from those that Japanese manufacturers install in cars specifically built for export to foreign markets.

If you are importing an engine from Japan, make sure it follows all the processes outlined by CBP, the DOT and NHTSA, and the EPA. A JDM engine might not be certified to meet EPA or DOT standards. You may need to work with an Independent Commercial Importer to modify your import so it doesn’t violate any regulations.

What is the Import Tax?

Most auto parts have a duty of 2.5 percent. However, there are many exceptions depending on the country of origin and the type of vehicle the part is associated with. You can find out more about these exceptions by examining chapter 87 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). 

Related:  What HTSUS Codes Mean to Importing Goods.

Do I Need a Customs Bond?

If your shipment is valued at $2,500 or more, you will need a customs bond. This includes duty-free transactions. There are also situations where a bond is required even if the $2,500 value isn’t met, such as on commodities that require licensure or certification from a U.S. government authority. 

For shipments that fall under the threshold, you won’t need a bond unless your parts fall under the exceptions mentioned above.

Related: How to Get a Customs Bond

Import Car and Truck Parts With Help From USA Customs Clearance

Americans are hanging on to their vehicles longer and longer with each passing year as automakers and dealers keep pushing expensive new models. As a side effect, demand for replacement parts will continue to increase. If you want to take advantage of this demand, we can help. 

At USA Customs Clearance, our team of brokers has over a century of combined experience assisting importers with all kinds of commodities, including parts and accessories for vehicles. 

Our services include:

• Secure customs bonds
• Manifest confidentiality
• Customized consulting sessions
• And more

A licensed customs broker works on your behalf to make importing easy. If you need guidance with your import, give us a call at (855) 912-0406 or contact us online. We’ll steer you in the right direction.